Knights of the Sky (1 Viewer)

[lancer]

Thanks Roy. Gotta be honest about something, though. If you gave me a list of WWI aircraft, and asked me to pick my favorite...well...the Eindecker might not make the top ten. In fact, pics that I've seen of the real thing sort of remind me of an underfed, winged-serpent. However, Jenkins has done a terrific job with it. Oh, and it looks really awesome on the "TALL" stand that Jenkins started selling late last year.^&cool As to the companion piece, I don't care what it is, so long as the model shows the same level of commitment to quality and detail that we see in ACE-23. That's not to say that I couldn't get jones'd-up about a Nieuport 11. I'm just sayin'...!

-Moe

110% agree about the N-11. I can safely say that I would buy as many different versions of that as I have the tripe. It is my favorite Allied aircraft. -- Al

 

[lancer]

Moe's enthusiasm for the Eindecker posed on the high stand, in flight, got me to thinking about possible match-ups. Obviously there will be different opinions but I would love the Nieuport 11 to display as a dogfighting pair. Failing that, how about the favorite victim of the Eindecker, the Royal Aircraft Factory BE-2c? It was the workhorse of the RFC through the Fokker Fodder months and, even though a two-seater, is not hugely larger than aircraft John has made. It would be the perfect match-up, mounted on a lower JJD stand while the Eindecker swoops in from behind in the kill position. I like it. :wink2:^&cool -- Al

 

[Jack]

Hi Martin,

I don't believe that I've ever seen a model which adequately conveys the muscularity of the Brisift, and I've never seen one in person. That thing really does look like a beast. I find it amazing that the type had such excellent performance given the limitations of the powerplants fo the times. Thanks for posting this.

-Moe

It was almost the only aircraft of that vintage in the museum that I felt might bear my weight. Everything else looked like a coffin with wings. Beautiful and graceful in some cases but flimsy looking all the same. Perhaps the only other aircraft that appeared similarly robust was the Spad. I fear I almost crashed the Camel just looking at it.

 

[lancer]

It was almost the only aircraft of that vintage in the museum that I felt might bear my weight. Everything else looked like a coffin with wings. Beautiful and graceful in some cases but flimsy looking all the same. Perhaps the only other aircraft that appeared similarly robust was the Spad. I fear I almost crashed the Camel just looking at it.

They are rather delicate looking. The Farman and Caudron look like nothing more than the proverbial kites of wire and sticks. -- Al

 

[ivanmoe]

They are rather delicate looking. The Farman and Caudron look like nothing more than the proverbial kites of wire and sticks. -- Al

Darn it, a bunch of Martin's pics have disappeared!

-Moe

 

[Jack]

Darn it, a bunch of Martin's pics have disappeared!

-Moe

The one of me is still there so at least the push to attract more women to the hobby is still on track!{sm4}

 

[Terp152]

Moe, great pics you have posted. Captured the detail very well. The JJD cockpits are much more detailed than the wooden TGM models, at less than half the cost. Rec'd mine today and very plsd with the addition to the collection. Chris

 

[lancer]

Congratulations, Chris. It's a gorgeous model, and as we have been discussing, one of JJD's best ever. Very good photos, too. -- Al

 

[wayne556517]

That is amazing congrats this is a must have thanks for the great pics as well.

 

[mestell]

I originally thought about passing on this one since I am trying to keep my JJD WWI collection to 1917-1918. However, after all of these wonderful photos provided by Moe and Chris I am now rethinking my original thoughts . . . . Hey, its only money and space . . . . . Thanks for sharing the wonderful photos Moe (and great review) and Chris . . . . .
:smile2: Mike

 

[ivanmoe]

Picked up three new sets for KotS:

From left to right, those are BGC-23 (French Pilot), BGC-22 (Mechanic with Oil Cart) and GGC-20 (German Pilot).

Each of the three sets comes with something of a mystery attached to it.

In the case of BGC-23, the "French Pilot" is obviously leaning against something, a vehicle or aircraft, perhaps. Will a new French model be issued to help the figure remain erect?

The "mechanic w/oil cart" is dressed for cold weather. I believe that he's the first such figure to be so attired in the BGC sets. Is winter on it's way to the Western Front?

Finally, I believe that the "German Pilot," (GGC-20) is wearing a Hussar's tunic. I wanted to tag this fellow as Immelmann, but Max served with the railroad corps before becoming a flyboy. Will a dedicated Immelmann figure be forthcoming? Will -20 live out it's days as a nameless, generic set, the unknown pilot perhaps?

Stay tuned, as I have no idea where this is headed!

-Moe

 

[Terp152]

Picked up three new sets for KotS:

From left to right, those are BGC-23 (French Pilot), BGC-22 (Mechanic with Oil Cart) and GGC-20 (German Pilot).

Each of the three sets comes with something of a mystery attached to it.

In the case of BGC-23, the "French Pilot" is obviously leaning against something, a vehicle or aircraft, perhaps. Will a new French model be issued to help the figure remain erect?

The "mechanic w/oil cart" is dressed for cold weather. I believe that he's the first such figure to be so attired in the BGC sets. Is winter on it's way to the Western Front?

Finally, I believe that the "German Pilot," (GGC-20) is wearing a Hussar's tunic. I wanted to tag this fellow as Immelmann, but Max served with the railroad corps before becoming a flyboy. Will a dedicated Immelmann figure be forthcoming? Will -20 live out it's days as a nameless, generic set, the unknown pilot perhaps?

Stay tuned, as I have no idea where this is headed!

-Moe

Great looking figs Moe. I don't collect many WWI figs, aircraft aside, but may have to get that French pilot. Good looking additions to your collection. Chris

 

[lancer]

ACE-23 arrived yesterday. It's a great little model, and I thought that I'd post some pics of it for our readers. First, here are some basic images of the Jenkins' Immelmann Fokker E.III:

Zoomed out a bit, I think that most of our readers will agree that there's little to offend the eye here. Perhaps the most compelling image is the first one. Any head-on shot like that will reveal problems with the bracing or anything else that's askew. This one looks great, IMO. Oh, and note the little brass-looking thingy on the port wing. That's Jenkins' interpretation of an anemometer adapted for use as an airspeed sensor, a good one I believe, and a marvelous testament to how primitive aviation technology was in 1915.

More to follow below...

Just received my Immelmann Eindecker today and I am extremely impressed. I can't add any thing to Moe's excellent review except to say that the aircraft is every bit as superb as the review and photos illustrate. If anything, it is more impressive in hand. I can only compare it to my TGM Eindecker, which is made of wood. First off, both aircraft are of the same dimensions in length, wingspan, and height. The scale is spot on. While I really like the TGM Eindecker, keeping in mind that it is made from wood, the JJD Eindecker wins the detail comparison, hands down. From the fabulous prop to the outstanding detail of the tail plane, the resin (?) material is much better for the finer details that make the model so nice realistic. Rigging between the two is almost identical, as is wing rib count. Both models have been finely researched and that research applied very well, with the caveat, once again, that the fine detail possible in the JJD model makes for a better end result. The most noticeable advantage in detail is in the JJD machine gun and the beautiful rendition of the rolled metal cowling. The TGM model simply can't compete here as their Mg is a simple tube and the cowling just silver paint. I do prefer the maltese cross insignia on the TGM model over the JJD cross style, but that is simply my opinion as to what looks best, as both are accurate. All in all, as has been stated in the other review, I think this is JJD's best aircraft effort yet. I can find absolutely nothing to pick on/complain about. The JJD half-pilot figures all fit the cockpit although some fit better than the others. This is an excellent bang-for-your-buck purchase. -- Al

 

[ivanmoe]

Just received my Immelmann Eindecker today and I am extremely impressed. I can't add any thing to Moe's excellent review except to say that the aircraft is every bit as superb as the review and photos illustrate. If anything, it is more impressive in hand. I can only compare it to my TGM Eindecker, which is made of wood. First off, both aircraft are of the same dimensions in length, wingspan, and height. The scale is spot on. While I really like the TGM Eindecker, keeping in mind that it is made from wood, the JJD Eindecker wins the detail comparison, hands down. From the fabulous prop to the outstanding detail of the tail plane, the resin (?) material is much better for the finer details that make the model so nice realistic. Rigging between the two is almost identical, as is wing rib count. Both models have been finely researched and that research applied very well, with the caveat, once again, that the fine detail possible in the JJD model makes for a better end result. The most noticeable advantage in detail is in the JJD machine gun and the beautiful rendition of the rolled metal cowling. The TGM model simply can't compete here as their Mg is a simple tube and the cowling just silver paint. I do prefer the maltese cross insignia on the TGM model over the JJD cross style, but that is simply my opinion as to what looks best, as both are accurate. All in all, as has been stated in the other review, I think this is JJD's best aircraft effort yet. I can find absolutely nothing to pick on/complain about. The JJD half-pilot figures all fit the cockpit although some fit better than the others. This is an excellent bang-for-your-buck purchase. -- Al

Great review, Al! Really appreciate your comparison of the two models.

Hey, though, did you notice the anemometer that I mentioned in my review? I didn't provide a detail pic of it, so I'm not sure that everyone knows what I'm referencing. See below:

Located mid-way down the port wing, the instrument is visible in several of the pics that Al linked us to in his post. The "real-deal" is a scaled down version of the device that's used to measure wind speed on a weather station. The Germans took the anemometer concept and used it as an ersatz airspeed sensor. I wanted everyone to see Jenkins' rendering of it magnified, because I don't believe that a person with normal vision can completely appreciate the finished product. I love stuff like this on models.

-Moe

 

[lancer]

Great review, Al! Really appreciate your comparison of the two models.

Hey, though, did you notice the anemometer that I mentioned in my review? I didn't provide a detail pic of it, so I'm not sure that everyone knows what I'm referencing. See below:

Located mid-way down the port wing, the instrument is visible in several of the pics that Al linked us to in his post. The "real-deal" is a scaled down version of the device that's used to measure wind speed on a weather station. The Germans took the anemometer concept and used it as an ersatz airspeed sensor. I wanted everyone to see Jenkins' rendering of it magnified, because I don't believe that a person with normal vision can completely appreciate the finished product. I love stuff like this on models.

-Moe

I did notice it, Moe. In fact, the TGM Eindecker has this detail as well, although the JJD version is a bit more detailed, having a readable face. And while on the subject, both models have the starboard wing inlaid compass, with, once again, the JJD version being a bit more detailed with a readable face. The details are evident in both models, with the JJD being a bit superior. -- Al

 

[Terp152]

Congrats on a super addition to your collection Al. And you have both the TGM and JJD versions! :salute:: Each is beautiful in their own right. Chris

 

[lancer]

Congrats on a super addition to your collection Al. And you have both the TGM and JJD versions! :salute:: Each is beautiful in their own right. Chris

Thanks Chris, a very on-point observation. Each has it's own appeal and beauty.:smile2: -- Al

 

[ivanmoe]

I suspect that the wounded Fokker will be appearing in two weeks or so:

Apparently, this wasn't an unusual attitude for the E.III to have assumed at the local airfield:

View attachment 175906View attachment 175907

The Eindecker must have been really unstable as it's tail-skid left the ground, perhaps even more so than other tail-draggers.

I noticed something else that's interesting about GGC-21. It's the first KotS model airplane to be coded as belonging to the German ground-crew collection, "GCC," rather than carrying the "ACE" designation. Don't know what the significance of this might be. Perhaps, there is none.

-Moe

 

[lancer]

Traded e-mails with John Jenkins about his recent Eindeckers. He is very proud of the way they came out. He told me that he had taken his time to get them exactly right, which was about 18 months for development. There are also other aircraft on the way, (he gave no info on what those might be), and said he HOPES to have "a few of them" for display at Chicago this year. I don't know whether this means any more aircraft to be released this calendar year or not but the future seems assured for at least those few more aircraft. I also put in my 2-cents by requesting a Nieuport 11 (or several), a Royal Aircraft Factory Be2c (have to have a victim for the excellent Eindecker), and an old favorite, a Voss Fokker Triplane. Chicago might be very interesting for we air-war buffs. -- Al

 

[ivanmoe]

Hi Al,

Thank you so much for the update. That's the best intel we've had regarding JJ model airplanes in quite a while .

I noticed that the KotS thread has hit one-hundred pages. So, how about that! Who'd have thought that it'd have proved to be so valuable a resource for collectors when MCKENNA77 started it four-and-a-half years ago?

Now, let me thrust an opinion on you and our other readers...

Al, it's been you who's kept this thread afloat. KotS collectors may be few in number, but they're passionate and dedicated to the range. No one that I'm aware of has done more to spur their interest in Jenkins' little replicas than yourself. You are our "most valuable player," and the rest of us will be forever in your debt for fleshing-out the nuances of these models and figure sets.

A heartfelt thanks and best wishes for the future,

-Moe